AGSI Conference:Garda sergeants and inspectors may stop using their own mobile phones during work if they are not given replacement handsets by the force.
A motion due before the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) is to call for the issuing of mobile phones by individual stations to officers on outdoor duty.
"In the event of a failure to issue phones, members ahould cease using their own mobile phones for operational matters," the motion reads. The motion is to be moved at the conference because of the "appalling condition of our communication system and the decision not to repair the present system".
The conference will also hear a call for Garda management to have the Pulse computer system audited by a "competent, independent contractor with a view to identifying the shortcomings of the system".
On Sunday Fine Gael justice spokesman Jim O'Keeffe criticised the system. He said many gardaí were being forced to make a 125km round trip on a daily basis just to input information.
"Because of the unavailability of a Pulse terminal in 74 per cent of our Garda stations, gardaí have to travel distances of up to 62km to the nearest station with Pulse in order to input the day's data into the system," Mr O'Keeffe said. "This amounts to round trip of almost 125km at the end of a busy day to input statistics on a Garda's daily activities."
The AGSI conference gets under way in Kilkenny this evening.
It will hear calls for a new criminal offence to be created to deal with people who obstruct or assault members of emergency services. This would be created under the Offences Against the Person Act.
The conference will also discuss motions calling for a certificate to be issued to certain people saying they are a victim of a crime, and another seeking the replacement of Garda vehicles after 100,000 miles or three years in service.
Also on the agenda is a motion calling on the Garda Commissioner to immediately start training on handling of informants.
This is in response to the interim report of the Morris Tribunal last year that found Garda informants were used to create hoax explosive finds. Judge Frederick Morris called for an urgent review of the Garda informant policy.
Proposals for a DNA database with information on everybody convicted of an arrestable crime will be discussed at the conference tomorrow.
Spokesman Austin Kenny said it would allow gardaí to check the database to identify possible suspects for serious crimes.
"It's a great way of identifying people. It's also a great way of clearing innocent people. That has happened in the past in the same way as people have been convicted with DNA evidence," he said.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell, who is to address the conference tonight, has expressed his support for a national DNA database.
